Objective: To investigate prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempts among outpatients in general hospitals.Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out in 9 general hospitals in Beijing, Xian and Guangzhou through August 2009 to December 2010 using World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0(CIDI-3.0).Nine hundred and sixty-five outpatients aged 15 years and older were selected by stratified sampling and administrated the suicide section of CIDI-3.0.Results: The prevalence rates of suicidal ideation were 7.5%, 3.7% and 2.9% in Beijing, Guangzhou and Xian respectively.The prevalence rates of suicidal plan were 3.6%, 1.6% and 1.3% in Beijing, Guangzhou and Xian respectively.The prevalence rates of suicidal attempt were 2.2%, 1.2% and 0.9% in Beijing, Guangzhou and Xian respectively.The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 4.5% in all participants.The conversion rate from suicidal ideation to suicidal plan was 45%.The conversion rate from suicidal plan to suicidal attempt was 75%.There were 34% participants who had suicidal ideation converting to suicidal attempt.The sample of general hospitals in Beijing had the highest prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempt among the three cities.The female sample, unmarried sample and less than 40 years old sample had the higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempt.Conclusion: The prevalence rates of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempt are different in Beijing, Xian and Guangzhou.It should be paid more attention to the female, unmarried and younger people refer to suicide.Funding: Sponsored by China Collaborative Suicide Research Training Program (CCSRT, Grant number: D43 TW007273) and granted by The Program of the National 15th 5-year Plan, Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant number: 2007BAI17B01).